Knowledge and practice toward pelvic floor health: a cross-sectional study protocol within the medical staff of national Athletics teams

Objectives. This study will aim to assess the knowledge and practices related to pelvic floor (PF) health within the medical staff of national Athletics teams. Secondary objectives will be to a) explore differences in PF health knowledge across individual, professional, and contextual characteristics; b) examine whether individual clinical practices and team-level approaches toward PF health will vary across subgroups. Methods. This study will be an observational, cross-sectional design using a web-based survey, conducted during the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships. Participants will include healthcare professionals who are part of the medical staff of national Athletics teams, such as physicians, physiotherapists, nurses, nutritionists, and other allied health professionals. The survey will assess demographic and professional characteristics, basic knowledge and practices related to PF health. The questionnaire will undergo expert review and pilot testing before implementation. Participation will be voluntary and anonymous, with responses securely stored. Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and comparative tests to explore group differences. Conclusions. Findings will provide insight into how medical staff address PF health within elite Athletics, highlighting potential gaps in knowledge and clinical practice. Data will inform educational initiatives and policy recommendations, supporting the integration of PF health into elite athlete care and sports medicine training programs.